There is a time in our lives when we stop thinking about our own works and start thinking and caring about other people’s works. This does not mean our work is done. On the contrary, it means there is still a lot to be done and that now we are ready to go deep on our work.

If we would have to give an example, we would call up the Portuguese architect Manuel Maia Gomes, who drew the project called House Antero de Quental that involved converting the former home of a nineteenth century poet and philosopher into a literary centre.

The interior was completely demolished, remaining only part of the outer walls. Its original shape was completely destroyed in order to provide larger rooms, although maintaining the basic domestic typology. The big attraction though is the spiral staircase, which goes up through two storeys and into a tower and is surrounded by shelves that will hold about 6.000 books.

This is not just a pretty architecture project embraced by the well-know photographer Fernando Guerra that sent us these pictures. This is not only a text about some books and a funny stair. This is us sharing with you this piece of art that was re-built to host an institution in charge of spreading the literary heritage of local and national writers, philosophers and poets.

Side by side with those stairs and in each of its shelves, Portuguese history will live as long as the lights that illuminate them don’t go down …